Christopher Rios, p/k/a Big Punisher a/k/a Big Pun died exactly 10 years ago today. Not only was he one of my favorite rappers, but the impact that he made on the hip-hop community was instant, and reverberated throughout the country.

As someone who was an ultra hip-hop head during the years that Big Pun rose to prominence, his existence (although short) has a special meaning for me. Usually, when I get into the barbershop-esque arguments with colleagues and friends (and you know how heated those can get) over who the greatest MCs of all time were, I’ve always mentioned Big Punisher, and usually the response is “you’re saying that because you’re Puerto Rican!”.

Um, na.

In efforts to avoid a “Hip-Hop is just as much Latino as it is Black” argument, I’ll just say this: Big Pun’s achievements within the scope of two years were like the appearance of Haley’s Comet or a solar eclipse- these events don’t happen often, but when they do, it’s special.

And although he wasn’t a perfect man (no man is), his masterful, wizard-like alignment of words and phrases, matched with his razor-sharp wit, charisma, and sense of humor made him an artist so unique that it’s almost embarrassing that he isn’t as celebrated as some of the greats.

That being said, the next time you listen to “Capital Punishment”, remember that what you’re listening to might never happen again for another millennium, until a child is born that can perform at a level beyond
.

SUITS!